Rossi ‘OK’ after bike crash

July 1, 2009

"He's OK," Murray said. "He suffered a sprained thumb, separated shoulder. He'll be sore and black and blue for a while but all things considered he'll be fine. His pride is probably hurt more than anything."

Rossi was attempting a jump in which he somersaults over his bike in mid-air. It was his first time attempting the difficult maneuver.

Article Photos

Scott Murray takes flight during his “Sick Air” show Saturday in Helps. For additional photos, visit the CU site at www.ironmountaindailynews.com.Theresa Peterson/The Daily News Photo

Rossi sped up the dirt ramp but instead of flipping as planned, Rossi's bike ended up too far out in front of him, and he came tumbling down the landing on his body, taking the brunt of the impact on his right side.

"He went for it," Murray said. "First time ever doing the trick and he tried it on dirt [instead of the foam pit], which just isn't done all that much anymore. It says miles and miles about his heart and drive to achieve."

Rossi was transported via ambulance to St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba where he underwent a number of tests before returning in time to cheer on his teammates in Murray's evening show.

Other than the crash, both shows went off without a hitch. Lingering rain showers from the morning deterred some of the crowd from the afternoon show but the moisture proved a blessing for Murray.

"The rain actually helped us," he said. "We didn't have to wet down the tracks at all. It saved us a lot of work."

Murray, best-known for his double backflip, debuted a few new tricks for the crowd. The two-time X-Games participant is in intense training for X-Games 15 at the end of July.

"I've gone from the double backflip to different combinations of tricks," he said. "We're headed in the right direction. "We've got a lot of training to do between now and then."

Murray plans to train as much as possible over the next three weeks ahead of the next "Sick Air" show on July 18. Then a week later he's off to Los Angeles for the X-Games.